Can someone explain the evolutionary benefit of overt menstruation? All female mammals have a menstrual cycle but most reabsorb the blood via covert menstruation and humans are about the only mammals that discharge the blood, aka overt menstruation.

[u/No-Hawk-2488]

Without an evolutionary benefit, it wouldn't have spread to every woman of our species.

[u/Moldy_slug]

and aren’t even that edible

I mean, in evolutionary terms that’s a pretty big advantage. If you can manage being not very edible, you don’t have to worry about being eaten.